CAFE’S FATE UNCLEAR

New Waterford cafe suffered smoke and water damage after Friday fire.

An early morning fire Friday has put a halt to business at Tracey’s Café for an indefinite period of time.

The New Waterford Volunteer Fire Department responded to 487 Heelan St., at the corner of Plummer Avenue, at about 2 a.m.

The fire is not suspicious but the cause is still under investigation, said New Waterford fire Chief Lenny Barrington.

There was smoke and water damage to a work area in the back section of the building, he said.

“The firefighters extinguished it fairly quickly,” Barrington said. “There’s a small little bit of structural damage in the back of the building — not a whole lot.”

Café owner Tracey Leudy was meeting with an insurance adjuster Friday morning and couldn’t be reached later in the day to speak about her plans for the business.

Building owner Gerard Burke said the original section of the building dates back about 75 years. The building’s current commercial assessment is $39,500, as listed by the province’s land registry.

It was the original location of Burke’s Furniture store and in later years was the site of MacSween’s Flower Shop.

Leudy opened a café in the building only a year ago. She also operates a wedding planning business.

Burke said the property is insured but it’s too early to determine what its fate might be.

“(Leudy) lost a lot of stuff (in the café),” he said, “and there’s no power to the building right now.”

The status of the building is “up in the air” until the insurance adjuster has an in-depth look at the scope of the loss, Burke said.

“There’s quite a bit of major damage there. If they can piece it back together, I guess they will. (The insurance company) will figure out if it’s worth their while or not.

“It’s kind of a sad thing to see a landmark like this burnt.”

JEREMY FRASER/CAPE BRETON POST The New Waterford Volunteer Fire Department responded to a fire at 487 Heelan St. in New Waterford at approximately 2 a.m. Friday. The fire, which has halted business at Tracey’s Café, is not believed to be suspicious.

CHRIS SHANNON/CAPE BRETON POST Water damage to the building housing Tracey’s Café shop in New Waterford extended to the basement. The fire, which was reported at approximately 2 a.m. Friday, is not believed to be suspicious.